For the third consecutive federal election since 2004, the off-island riding of Vaudreuil-Soulanges elected Bloc Quebecois MP Meili Faille with a sizeable majority over a federalist "star" candidate, this time former Conservative Minister of International Trade Michael Fortier.
"I am so happy to be able to continue my work," Faille said moments after arriving to Sunny's Restaurant in Vaudreuil-Dorion, where a room full of supporters erupted in applause and chants of her name.
The clientele at Sunny's was evidently elated, with supporters loudly clapping as they watched results announced on network news before Faille entered the restaurant. The cheers began as soon as the first ballot box in the riding was opened.
Faille defeated Fortier by amassing 41 per cent of the vote. The latter came in second place with 24 per cent. Liberal Brigitte Legault finished third with 21 per cent.
In 2006, Faille had won by a similar margin, defeating Liberal "star" candidate and former astronaut Marc Garneau-who this year captured a seat in Westmount-Ville-Marie-with about 42 per cent of the vote.
"Treating politics in a very human way (is how I won)," said Faille during an impromptu scrum with media in a quiet corner of the raucous restaurant. She said she continued campaigning on the ground, meeting people and listening to their concerns.
"A good MP works in the shadows," she said.
Big challenges for the riding lie ahead, Faille said, including affordable social housing, as well as individual case files. "I'll be looking at all those files at my office," Faille said.
Château-Vaudreuil, the posh hotel off Highway 40 in Vaudreuil-Dorion where Michael Fortier held his concession speech, was empty by the time The Chronicle arrived. An official Conservative Party car emblazoned with an image of Fortier lay outside in the parking lot.
Fortier himself emerged some time after midnight but did not want to comment. "I'm not talking to you," he told The Chronicle. "I gave my speech, and that's it," he added.
Fortier had caused some controversy by being appointed to the Senate in 2006 despite Prime Minister Stephen Harper pronouncing himself against the practice earlier. Furthermore, Fortier was named to the Cabinet as Minister of Public Works before being given the International Trade portfolio in June this year. He stepped down from his Senate position to run in the campaign.
Liberal candidate Brigitte Legault said she was disappointed with tonight's results, but happy about some new Liberal MPs headed to Ottawa, such as Justin Trudeau in Ottawa. "People are unhappy," she said, about the federal elections, as, $308 million in taxpayers' money later, a Conservative minority government is again in power, meaning little has changed since a month ago.
Legault said it was too soon to decide whether she would run again or not. "I don't want to say yes or no tonight," she said. Her career in politics, however, is definitely not over, as she will head back to her position as VP of the Liberal Party of Canada's francophone wing, which she called "one of the most important executives of the country."
NDP candidate Maxime Héroux-Legault came in fourth place with 9 per cent of the vote, and the Green Party's Jean-Yves Massenet was last with four per cent.
Vaudreuil-Soulanges stretches from Lac des Deux Montagnes in Quebec to the Ontario border. The rural-suburban riding includes municipalities such as Vaudreuil-Dorion, Ile Perrot, Hudson, and St. Lazare.
Vaudreuil-Soulanges
BQ Meili Faille 27,044 41.26%
CON Michael Fortier 15,616 23.82%
LIB Brigitte Legault 13,954 21.29%
NDP Maxime Héroux-Legault 6,307 9.62%
GRN Jean-Yves Massenet 2,627 4.01%
